Belgium knocks out USMNT 4-1, ends World Cup home hopes

Belgium ended the last host-nation path at the World Cup with a 4-1 victory over the United States at Seattle Stadium, eliminating the USMNT in the round of 16. Charles De Ketelaere struck in the 9th and 33rd minutes, Malik Tillman briefly pulled the Americans level in the 31st, Hans Vanaken restored Belgium’s lead in the 57th and Romelu Lukaku finished it in stoppage time.

The loss left the United States out at the same stage for the fourth straight World Cup and denied it a place in the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002. Canada and Mexico had already fallen in the round of 16, leaving the U.S. as the final co-host to go out.

The buildup carried its own drama around Folarin Balogun, who played after FIFA lifted a one-match suspension tied to his red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the previous round. The reversal angered the Royal Belgian Football Association and drew UEFA criticism as "unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable." Balogun had two chances against Thibaut Courtois, but Belgium absorbed the pressure and kept control once De Ketelaere gave it the early edge.

Belgium now moves on to Spain in the quarterfinals on July 10 at Los Angeles Stadium. Mauricio Pochettino said his team "didn't show our real quality as a team" and called it "a very bad day." He declined to blame outside distractions and said he has not decided whether he will stay on after a contract that expires after the World Cup.